[CLSTR]
< Back to all clusters
[CRIME] · Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Poland · 3 sources

started · updated

Part of situation: Međugorje religious site vandalism and arson case (2 clusters)

Međugorje vandalism: Polish national faces 20 years for church arson

Međugorje religious vandalism St. James Church Bartłomiej Włodzimierz Krakowiak Bosnia and Herzegovina court

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has confirmed an indictment against Polish national Bartłomiej Włodzimierz Krakowiak for acts of vandalism and arson at the St. James Church in Međugorje. Krakowiak is accused of defacing two statues of the Virgin Mary with offensive messages written in Croatian, English, and Polish.

In addition to the vandalism, the indictment states that during the night of July 27–28, Krakowiak attempted to set fire to a canvas on the altar's roof structure. After failing to ignite the non-flammable material, he allegedly poured gasoline over the outdoor altar and ignited it with an open flame. The resulting fire caused material damage estimated between 67,000 euros and 130,767 convertible marks.

Krakowiak, who has admitted to the crimes during previous hearings, faces charges including inciting ethnic, racial, and religious hatred, damaging religious objects, and serious crimes against public safety and property. He faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Entities

Bartłomiej Włodzimierz Krakowiak · Catholic Church · Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina · Međugorje · St. James Church

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] Material damage to the altar and outdoor inventory is estimated at approximately 67,000 euros. n1info.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Krakowiak is charged with inciting ethnic, racial, and religious hatred, damaging religious objects, and serious crimes against public safety and property. n1info.hr · www.telegram.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Krakowiak attempted to burn a canvas on the altar roof before successfully setting fire to the outdoor altar using gasoline. n1info.hr · www.telegram.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The defendant defaced two statues of the Virgin Mary with offensive messages in Croatian, English, and Polish. n1info.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed an indictment against Polish citizen Bartłomiej Włodzimierz Krakowiak. n1info.hr · www.telegram.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Krakowiak pleaded guilty to the crimes committed in Međugorje during an earlier hearing. n1info.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The defendant faces a maximum single prison sentence of up to 20 years. n1info.hr · www.tportal.hr
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The fire caused material damage totaling 130,767.71 convertible marks. www.telegram.hr

Sources

Skrnavljenje i paljenje oltara u Međugorju: Vandalu Krakowiaku prijeti 20 godina zatvora [n1info.hr]
Potvrđena optužnica protiv Poljaka koji je u Međugorju zapalio oltar i ispisivao uvredljive poruke [www.telegram.hr]
Potvrđena optužnica Poljaku za uništavanje Gospinih kipova u Meugorju: Evo kolika mu kazna prijeti [www.tportal.hr]